but as first reported by npr, taxpayers haven't faired as well. is this program a waste of taxpayer money? >> the dollar coin program is a waste of taxpayer money. i think it's time to put a halt to this experiment. >> reporter: but ending it probably requires another law from congress. until then, the mint has five years and 20 presidents to go. lisa myers, nbc news, baltimore. >>> still ahead, the big showdown in washington over the debt limit. and the president's warned of potential catastrophe. so are lawmakers any closer to a deal? >>> and a sunday surprise for those dire predictions of carmageddon in california. >>> a little more than two weeks left until the u.s. treasury reaches its legal borrowing limit and the threat of the government being unable to pay its bills looms larger tonight. nbc's mike viqueira joins us from the white house. mike? >> reporter: lester, we're 16 days from a potential financial catastrophe. by all appearances it was a quite typical weekend summer day here in washington. the first family left on foot, setting out